Echavárri is angry with the UCI

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Jose Miguel Echavárri, the Caisse d'Epargne manager, showed his discomfort with the behaviour of the UCI in regards to the Valverde case. He accused them of acting with "malicious intent" and at the same time indicated that cycling finds itself "in an important schism and with some incompetent leaders".

"The Valverde affair continues. And the rider continues to prepare for the World Championships. The Spanish federation as much as the CSD [Superior Council of Sports] is acting seriously and respecting the laws. Not like the UCI, which acts with bad intentions and to initiate damage with their own interpretations [of facts]," Echavarri told the press media.

About the participation of Valverde at the Worlds, Echavarri assured that, "until a court doesn't rule, we cannot say anything. But it [the court] will have to speak up before the Worlds."

"Our sport is directed by people who do not deserve it. The riders have the punishment of being left to the whim of the people [responsible officials of cycling]. For example, I cannot understand why Oscar Sevilla can ride in Portugal and not in Spain. Both races are under the sanction of the UCI. But the UCI is only thinking of the ProTour events, that is its business," Echavarri added. The Caisse d'Epargne manager concluded saying that "I have already paid the license for the coming years, and we do not know if there will be ProTour."